The attack occurred after Linehan cut off and hit the teenager's pickup truck. When the 15-year-old pulled over to exchange insurance information, Linehan attacked.

"The victim is on the ground, he stands over him, he starts to walk away and comes back, and does what I would call a soccer kick to the victim's head," Zacharias said. "His hat goes flying and the kid's on the ground again. It was vicious."

Linehan agreed to a plea deal Monday: a five-year prison sentence for felony assault. Prosecutors hoped to a 10-year sentence from a guilty conviction if the case went to trial.

"It's an incident that both families wish that it would not have happened, but it did," George Sturm, the victim's father, said. "Now both families are faced with the consequences and a long-term potential of what happened."

Sturm said he didn't want to drag out the case any longer than needed. He said his son's been through enough pain, both physically and mentally.

"You find out that there are evil things that can happen in the world," Sturm said. "Sometimes they happen to you. We sincerely hope that Ryan learns from this and comes out of custody as a much better person."

Linehan punishment doesn't end with a prison sentence. He'll be forced to pay restitution for the thousands of dollars in medical bills associated with his victim's treatment and recovery.